Dendrite growth control circuit

ABSTRACT

A circuit is provided which prevents dendrite formation on interconnects during semiconductor device processing due to a dendrite-forming current. The circuit includes a switch located in at least one of the dendrite-forming current paths. The switch is configured to be open or in the “off” state during processing, and is configured to be closed or in the “on” state after processing to allow proper functioning of the semiconductor device. The switch may include an nFET or pFET, depending on the environment in which it is used to control or prevent dendrite formation. The switch may be configured to change to the “closed” state when an input signal is provided during operation of the fabricated semiconductor device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of application Ser.No. 10/904,680, filed on Nov. 23, 2004, the contents of which areincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to semiconductor device fabrication, and moreparticularly to controlling or preventing dendrite growth betweeninterconnects during semiconductor device fabrication.

BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION

Under some circumstances, dendrites of conductive material may be formedbetween metal or other conductive material interconnects duringfabrication of a semiconductor device. For example, where copper linesare formed by a damascene process, a polishing step is utilized toplanarize the surface of the layer holding the damascene-formed lines.Typically, the polishing step involves a slurry incorporating a grindingcompound and/or chemical. The polishing process accordingly will producesmall particles of the material being ground away which will remainsuspended in the slurry. Consequently, the interconnect being polishedwill be immersed in a slurry having conductive particles suspendedtherein.

Under certain conditions, a voltage potential may appear across some orall of the interconnects. This voltage potential, in conjunction withchemical activity associated upon the interconnects in the slurry maycause a dendrite of conductive material to form on at least one of theinterconnects. Additionally, such a dendrite may grow towards anotherinterconnect and ultimately, make electrical contact with the otherinterconnect.

The interconnect towards which the dendrite grows will have a voltagepotential opposite to the voltage potential of the interconnectproducing the dendrite. The voltage potential on each interconnectdriving the dendrite growth is produced by, for example, the structureof the device to which the interconnects connects are connected, and maynot be necessarily directly related to the process at the device'ssurface.

Such a dendrite then would form a short between the interconnects whichotherwise should be insulated from one another. The shortedinterconnects then impair circuit functioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, a method of controlling interconnectdendrite growth during interconnect processing includes arranging asemiconductor switch in a dendrite-forming current path, and configuringthe semiconductor switch in the “off” state during interconnectprocessing.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of controlling interconnectdendrite growth includes arranging a first source/drain region of asemiconductor switch in electrical communication with a first side of acharge source, and arranging a gate region of the semiconductor switchin electrical communication with a second side of the charge source. Themethod also includes arranging a second source/drain region of thesemiconductor switch in electrical communication with a dendrite formingconductor.

In another aspect of the invention, a dendrite control circuit includesa first source/drain region of a semiconductor switch in electricalcommunication with a first side of a charge source, and a gate region ofthe semiconductor switch in electrical communication with a second sideof the charge source. The circuit also includes a second source/drainregion of the semiconductor switch in electrical communication with adendrite forming conductor,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptional illustration of an embodiment of a dendriteformation control circuit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a photo-induced well chargingnetwork in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a photo-induced well chargingprevention network for an N-well or tub in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a photo-induced well chargingprevention network for a P-doped isolated region in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a non-isolated well chargingcontrol network in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a semiconductor device showing anon-isolated well charging control network in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a semiconductor device having an isolatedwell charging control network in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a photo-induced well charging preventionnetwork for a P-doped isolated region in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a semiconductor device having an isolatedwell charging control network in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a photo-induced well charging preventionnetwork gate array structure in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a photo-induced well charging preventionnetwork and well contact in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to, for example, a structure and method forcontrolling or preventing dendrite growth between interconnects duringsemiconductor fabrication. In the embodiments of the invention, acircuit is provided for breaking the current flow path which contributesto dendrite formation. Thus, by controlling or preventing dendriteformation, it is possible to prevent shorts in the circuit. Accordingly,embodiments of the invention include a circuit, such as a switch orback-to-back diodes, for breaking the current flow path whichcontributes to dendrite formation while the semiconductor device isbeing processed. The circuit is configured so that the circuit is openduring device fabrication and closed during operation of thesemiconductor device. The circuit may be referred alternatively as a“dendrite control network,” a “dendrite control circuit,” a“photo-induced well charging prevention network,” or other similar termwhich indicates a circuit configured to reduce or prevent dendriteformation during device fabrication.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a semiconductor device 100 configured toallow interrupting the dendrite-forming current. FIG. 1 may be used asan exemplary embodiment when describing the embodiments of, for example,FIGS. 2-4.

The semiconductor device 100 includes a substrate 42 having an N-well 40therein. The substrate 42 and an N-well 40 are formed at an interface orsemiconductor junction 41. Shallow trench isolations (STI) 26, 30, 34,and 38 are formed in the N-well 40 and substrate 42. Also a P+ contact28 and an N+ contact 32 are formed on the N-well 40 and substrate.

A semiconductor device 36 is formed between the STI 34 and STI 38. Thesemiconductor device 36 may be any type of suitable semiconductor deviceintended to be connected to a VDD input 16 and a VSS input 18. A metalline 22 leading to an interconnect 12 is attached to the P+ contact 28.The interconnect 14 is the input for VSS 18. A second metal line 20 isattached to the N+ contact 32, which leads to a second interconnect 14.The second interconnect 14 leads to the VDD input 16. These features areall formed using standard fabrication processes as should be well knownin the art, and, as such, a detailed discussion of the fabricationprocess is not required to understand and practice this invention.

In this and other examples, the semiconductor junction may have aphotovoltaic effect such as that found in a solar cell. Accordingly,when photons 24 strike the semiconductor junction 41, charge is formedwith negative charge 50 being generated on the N-well 40 side of theinterface 41 and positive charge 48 being generated on the substrate 42side of the interface 41. The negative charges 50 may distributethemselves along current flow path 44 which passes through the N-well40, the N+ contact 32, the second metal line 20 to the secondinterconnect 14. Additionally, the positive charges 48 may be allowed todistribute themselves along the current flow path 46 along the substrate42, P+ contact 28, first metal line 22 and first interconnect 12.

With charge being generated at the semiconductor junction 41, and beingallowed to freely move along the current flow paths, 44 and 46, oppositecharges collect at the first and second interconnects, 12 and 14,respectively. With charge collected at the first and secondinterconnects, 12 and 14, a dendrite 10 may form on one of theinterconnects while the interconnects are being polished.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention include inserting a switchingdevice 21 in one of the current flow paths, 44 and 46, to interrupt theflow of dendrite-forming current. In this example, the switching device21 is inserted in the negative charge flow path 44 It should beunderstood that the invention would function equally well if a switchingdevice 21 was (i) inserted in the positive charge current flow path 46as well as (ii) inserted into both negative charge and positive chargecurrent paths, 44 and 46.

In operation, the switch 21 is positioned in the “open,” or “off” stateduring processing to block dendrite-forming current. Once processing ofthe interconnects is complete, and there is no more tendency for chargeto collect on the interconnects, 12 and 14, and form a dendrite, theswitch 21 may be closed or put in the “on” state. Typically, the switch21 would be closed when the completed device 100 is put into operation.

The voltage potential shown in the semiconductor device 100 example is aphoto-induced voltage potential. However, any voltage potential whichdrives charge to the interconnects may cause dendrite formation on theinterconnects, and such dendrite formation may be controlled orprevented using a switching device in accordance with the invention tointerrupt at least one of the current flow paths. However, forexplanation purposes, an exemplary photo induced voltage potential willbe used herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic of a photo-induced well chargingprevention network 200 is shown. The charging prevention network 200includes a VSS* input 52, and a VDD* input 54. VSS* and VDD* includevoltages at VSS and VDD, respectively, as well as voltages at a lower orother potential. Both the VSS* input 52 and the VDD* input 54 arecoupled to a photo-induced well charging prevention network 56. As anexample, a photo-induced well charging prevention network may include aswitch, a diode, or a transistor-like device configured to function as aswitch. The photo-induced well charging prevention network 56 is coupledto a well 58 through line 60. Additionally, the photo-induced wellcharge prevention network 56 is coupled to the line 60 through a secondline 62.

The schematic 200 shows how the photo-induced well charging preventionnetwork 56 is inserted between the well 58 which is the source of thephoto-induced charge and interconnects having the inputs VSS* and VDD*,52 and 54, respectively. Additionally, the photo-induced well chargingprevention network 56 has a control line 62 which controls the “on/off”state of the photo-induced well charging prevention network 56.

In operation, the photo-induced well charging prevention network 56blocks charge traveling between the well 58 and either one or both ofthe interconnects of the VSS* input 52 and VDD* 54 input duringsemiconductor device fabrication. Once the critical step ofsemiconductor fabrication device which tends to form dendrites iscomplete, the photo-induced well charging prevention network 56 may bepositioned in the “on” state. Typically, the photo-induced well chargingprevention network 56 is positioned in the “on” state when thesemiconductor device is put into operation.

Embodiments of the invention include isolated and non-isolated wellcontrol network structures, which do not necessarily use P-well andN-well connections and copper interconnects. Traditionally, anon-isolated well control network allows floating during processing andbiasing during device operation when connected and disconnected,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic of a photo-induced well chargingprevention network 300 for an N-well or tub is shown. The photo-inducedwell charging prevention network 300 for the N-well or tub includes aVDD* input 68, and a ground connection 64. The VDD* input 68 isconnected to a source/drain region of a FET 70. The ground 64 isconnected to the gate of the FET 70. The N-well 76 is connected to asource/drain region of the FET 70 through connection 72. Additionally, asource/drain region of the FET 70 is connected to the N-well 76 throughconnection 74.

In operation, the FET 70 is configured to function as an open switch tointerrupt dendrite-forming current flowing along the connection 72 fromthe N-well 76 during processing, thus, preventing dendrite formation.After processing, the FET 70 is configured to change to the “on” or“closed” state upon the application of an input voltage to the VDD*input 68.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic of a photo-induced well chargingprevention network 400 for a P-doped isolated region is shown. Thephoto-induced well charging prevention network 400 includes a VDD input78 and a VSS input 82. The VDD input 78 is connected to a gate of a FET84 and the VSS input 82 is connected to a source/drain region of the FET84. Additionally, a P-well 90 is connected to a source/drain region ofthe FET 84 through connection 86. A source/drain region of the FET 84 isconnected to the FET 84 through connection 86. The FET 84 is alsoconnected to the connection 86 through a connection 88.

In operation, the FET 84 interrupts the flow of dendrite-forming chargebetween the P-well 90 and either or both the VSS input 82 and VDD input78. Additionally, the FET 84 is configured to turn “on” when thesemiconductor device incorporating the photo-induced well chargingprevention network 400 receives a VSS input signal at input 82.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a non-isolated well chargingcontrol network 500 is shown. The non-isolated well charging controlnetwork 500 includes a substrate 42 with an N-well 40 formed therein. Aninterface or semiconductor junction 121 is formed at the interface ofthe N-well 40 and the substrate 42. Formed across the top of thesubstrate 42 and N-well 40 are STI 26, 120, 106, 114, and 38. Alsoformed at the top of the substrate 42 is a P+ contact 28. At the top ofthe N-well 40 is an N+ contact 32.

Between the STI 106 and the STI 114 is a pFET 92. The pFET 92 includes asource 108 next to the STI 106, and a drain 112 next to the STI 114.Between the drain and the source, 112 and 108, is a gate 110. A gateinput 102 connects the P+ contact 28 to the gate 110 of the pFET 92 andVSS 96. Gate input 102 connects to the gate 110 of the pFET 92 and isconfigured to bias the pFET 92 into the “on” state during operation ofthe circuit and thus substantially no current flows through the gateinput 102 during circuit operation. A source connection 104 connects theN+ contact 32 to the source 108 of the pFET 92. Additionally, a draininput 116 provides a connection to VDD to the drain 112. Between the STI114 and STI 38 is a second semiconductor device 36.

The semiconductor device 500 will tend to produce charge carriers alongthe interface 121 between the substrate 42 and the N-well 40 whenphotons 24 interact with the semiconductor junction 121. Thus, positivecharges 48 will be produced in the substrate 42 and negative charges 50will be produced in the N-well 40. Such charges have the potential toform dendrites on some or all of the interconnects which may receivesuch charge during processing.

In this embodiment, a dendrite forming current of the positive charges48 would pass along current flow path 101 from the junction 121 to VSS96 without well isolation. Additionally, the negative charge 50 wouldflow along a current flow path 98 through the N+ contact 32 and thesource connection 104 to the source 108 of the pFET 92. The currentwould then flow through the N-well 40 to the P+ contact 112 and to VDD116 to form a dendrite from VDD 116 to VSS 96. However, with VDD 116attached to the N-well 40 through P+ contact 112, a back-to-back diodestructure is formed which functions as a reverse bias diode junctionduring fabrication to interrupt the dendrite-forming current. In otherwords, with the pFET 92 configured as shown, the pFET 92 will be in the“off” state during fabrication and thus will not conduct charge acrossthe active region of the pFET 92 to the drain 112. Accordingly, anydendrite-forming current is interrupted, thus, reducing and/orpreventing dendrite formation on the interconnect VDD 116.

The source connection 104 may be any type of electrical connectionconnecting the N+ contact 32 to the source 108 of the pFET 92. Inembodiments, the source connection 104 is positioned on a metallizationlayer different from the gate contact 102. Such positioning avoidsdendrite formation between unswitched portions of the source connector104 and the gate connector 102. Additionally, the source connector 104could be formed from any suitable conductor which does not formdendrites in order to avoid dendrite formation between the sourceconnector 104 and the gate connector 102. This may include, for example,silicide.

In operation, during processing, charge generated at the interface 121flows along current flow path 101 to the gate 110 of the pFET 92.Additionally, charge flows along current flow path 98 through the N+contact 32 and connector 104 to the source 108 of the pFET 92. However,during fabrication, the pFET 92 is in the “open” state and thus chargecannot flow to the VDD interconnect 116. By blocking charge from the VDDinterconnect 116, dendrite growth thereon is prevented. Afterfabrication, pFET 92 will transition to the “closed” state when theinput VDD interconnect 116 receives an input signal.

It should be understood that, in general, the circuit configurationallows well contact to be made locally through FET, which may functionas a switch, without the well contact being in physical contact with aCu Wire. Removing the physical contact between the Cu wire and the wellcontact prevents dendrite formation by substantially blocking thebuilt-in potential of the charge producing “photo-diode-like” junctionto reach the Cu wire. The well biasing circuit configuration places thewell bias voltage coming from the Cu wire on a region which isoppositely doped from the well, and introduces a reverse biased diode inthe path of dendrite forming current during CMP. The FET is then used asa switch to bias the well correctly after all processing is finished. Itshould also be understood that the FET does not necessarily need to be“on” or “off” during operation of the device, but can be dynamicallybiased during chip operation to vary the potential on the well.

Referring to FIG. 6, a semiconductor device 600 showing a non-isolatedwell charging control network is shown. The semiconductor device 600includes a substrate 42 with an N-well 40 formed therein. Asemiconductor junction 121 is formed at the interface of the substrate42 and the N-well 40. Formed across the top of the substrate 42 andN-well 40 are STIs 26, 120, 114, and 38. Between the STI 26 and 120 is aP+ contact 28. To the side of the STI 114 is a pFET 94. Between the STI114 and the STI 38 is a semiconductor device 36.

The pFET 94 includes a source 108, a gate 110, and a drain 112. Betweenthe source 108 and the STI 120 is an extended N+ contact 124. Theextended N+ contact 124 butts against the source 108 of the pFET 94. Aconductor 122 contacts the top of the source 108 and the extended N+contact 124. The conductor 122 can be formed of any suitable conductormaterial such as a metal or a silicide layer. A gate connector 102extends from the P+ contact 28 to the gate 110 of the pFET 94.

The combination of the conductor 122 and the extended N+ contact 124function to electrically connect charges produced in the N-well 40 atthe interface 121 to the source 108 of the pFET 94 in a manner similarto the source connector 104 of FIG. 5. Thus, the pFET 94 interrupts theflow of dendrite-forming current from the semiconductor junction 121when in the “open” state during device fabrication. However, Gate input102 connects to the gate 110 of the pFET 94 and is configured to biasthe pFET 94 into the “on” state during operation of the circuit and thussubstantially no current flows through the gate input 102 during circuitoperation.

In operation, during processing, a dendrite forming charge may begenerated along the interface 121. Such charge flows to VSS 96 throughthe current flow path 100. Additionally, charge generated at theinterface 121 passes through the N+ well 40 and into the extended N+contact 124. From the N+ extended contact 124, charge passes through theconductive layer 122, and to the source 108 of the pFET 94. The currentwould then flow through the N-well 40 to the P+ contact 112 and to VDD116 to form a dendrite from VDD 116 to VSS 96. However, with VDD 116attached to the N-well 40 through P+ contact 112, a back-to-back diodestructure is formed which functions as a reverse bias diode junctionduring fabrication to interrupt the dendrite-forming current. In otherwords, with the pFET 94 configured as shown, the pFET 94 is in the “off”state during fabrication, current cannot pass through the active regionof the pFET 94 to reach the VDD input 116. Accordingly, dendrite-formingcurrent is blocked from the VDD input 116 and no dendrite can formduring fabrication. After fabrication, the pFET 94 transitions to the“on” state when the VDD input 116 receives an input signal.

Referring to FIG. 7, a semiconductor device 700 having an isolated wellcharging control network is shown. The semiconductor device 700 includesa substrate 128. An N+ well 144 is formed within the substrate 128. TheN+ well 14 may also be referred to as a “sub-collector” or “buriedlayer,” as well. The N+ well 144 can be formed within the substrate byany of the doping methods well known in the art for forming N+ wells.The N+ well 144 and substrate 128 form a semiconductor junction 146. Oneither side of the N+ well 144 are deep trench isolations 140, which canbe formed in the substrate 128 by any of the methods well known in theart for forming deep trench isolations such as by reactive ion etching(RIE). A P-well 148 is formed next to the deep trench isolation 140 andthe N+ well 144. An N-well 150 is formed next to the P-well 148 and theN+ well 144. Next to the N-well 150 on top of the N+ well 144 is areach-through 151. The P-well 148, N-well 150 and reach-through 151 canbe formed within the substrate 128 by any of the methods well known inthe art for forming the respective features.

Formed in the substrate is a STI 192 and STI 142. Formed on top of theP-well 148 is a semiconductor device 130, and formed on top of theN-well 150 is a pFET 132. A STI 180, a STI 172, and the STI 162 arepositioned at the top of the P-well 148, N-well 150 and reach-through151, respectively. A P+ contact 190 is positioned between the STI 192and the STI 180. An N+ contact 174 is positioned between the STI 180 andthe STI 172.

The pFET 132 includes drain 166, a gate 168 and source 170. A connector164 connects the drain 166 to a VDD input. A gate connector 178 connectsthe P+ contact 190 to the gate 168 of the pFET 132. Gate connector 178connects VSS 195 to the gate 168 of the pFET 132 and is configured tobias the pFET 132 into the “on” state during operation of the circuitand thus substantially no current flows through the gate connector 178during circuit operation. A source connector 176 connects the N+ contact174 to the source 170 of the pFET 132.

During fabrication, when photons strike the semiconductor junction 146,charge is generated at the semiconductor junction 146. Negative chargeflows along the charge flow path 154 through the N+ well 144 and intothe reach-through 151. From the reach-through 151, the current flow pathpasses through the N+ contact 174 and into the source connector 176 andsource 170 of the pFET 132. A second current flow path 194 flows fromthe semiconductor junction 146 through the substrate 128 and into the P+contact 190. From the P+ contact 190 current path passes to the VSScontact 195.

In operation, during processing, any charge, which may flow along thefirst charge flow path 154 into the source 170 of the pFET 132, isblocked at the active region of the pFET 132 because the pFET is in the“open” state. Thus, no dendrite will form on the VDD input 164. Afterprocessing, the pFET 132 is configured to automatically turn “on” whenthe VDD contact 164 receives a signal. In other words, with VDD 164attached to the P-well 150 through P+ contact 162, a back-to-back diodestructure is formed by the pFET 132 which functions as a reverse biasdiode junction during fabrication to interrupt the dendrite-formingcurrent.

Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic illustration of a photo-induced wellcharging prevention network 800 for a P-doped isolated region is shown.The schematic shows a VDD input 198 and a VSS input 201 into a FET 204.A P-well 210 has a connection 208 to the FET 204. Another connection 206leads from the FET 204 to the connection 208.

In operation, the FET 204 serves to interrupt the current flow pathbetween charged produced in the P-well 210 and either the VDD 198 or theVSS input 201. Furthermore, the FET 204 is configured to turn to the“on” state using the connector 206 when a signal is applied to the VSSinput 201 after fabrication. This controls or prevents dendriteformations.

Referring to FIG. 9, a semiconductor device 900 having an isolated wellcharging control network is shown. The semiconductor device 900 includesa substrate 212. Formed within the substrate 212 is an N-band 220 with aP-well 222 above the N-band 220. At the interface between the P-well 222and N-band 220 is formed a semiconductor junction 224. On either side ofthe N-band 220 is an N-well 218. Formed on the substrate 212 is a STI248 and formed on the side of the N-well 218 is a STI 249 on top of theN band 220

A STI 244 is formed proximate the side of the N-well 218. To the side ofthe STI 244 is a semiconductor device 216. Formed proximate the otherside of the semiconductor device 216 is a STI 242. To the side of theSTI 242, formed on the top of the P-well 220, is a P+ contact 240, andto the side of the P+contact 240 on the top of the P-well 222 is a STI238. Between the STI 238 and the STI 249 is an nFET 214.

The nFET 214 includes a source 228, a gate 232, and a drain 236. A VSSinput 226 is connected to the source 228 and a VDD input 230 isconnected to the gate 232. Additionally, a drain connector 234 connectsbetween the P+ contact 240 and the drain 236. It should be noted thatthis drain connector 234 may include a conductor connection directlybetween the P+ contact 240 and the drain 236 with the STI 238 removedtherebetween with a conductor on top.

When photons or other forms of radiation contact the semiconductorjunction 224, a potential current flow path 223 would be created whichruns from the semiconductor junction 224 through the P+ contact 240 tothe N+ contact 246. The N+ contact 246 is connected to an isolationcontact 245. A current 219 through the substrate 212 would also run fromthe N+ contact 246 through the N-well 218 to the semiconductor junction224. However, the addition of the FET 214 allows contact to the P-well222 through the P+ contact 240 to be made locally through the FET 214without the P-well contact 222 being in physical contact with a Cu wirewhich would be formed on an upper level and potentially cause a dendriteto form therefrom.

Consequently, the combination of the N+ contact 236, the active regionof the FET 214 and the N+ contact 228 form a back-to-back diodestructure which functions as a reverse bias diode junction duringfabrication to interrupt dendrite-forming current which would otherwiseflow along current flow path 225. In other words, FET 214 laces wellbias voltage which would come from a Cu wire during processing due tophoton-induced charge production at the semiconductor junction 224 on aregion which is oppositely doped from the P-well 222. Thus, a reversedbiased diode is placed in the path of a dendrite forming current duringthe CMP step of the Cu wire formation on an upper level. The FET 214 maythen be used as a switch to bias the P-well 222 correctly afterprocessing is complete, and there is no longer a chance of forming adendrite on the Cu wire. It should be understood that the FET 214 may bedynamically biased during chip operation to vary the Potential on theP-well 222.

Referring to FIG. 10, a photo-induced well charging prevention networkgate array structure 1000 is schematically shown. The photo-induced wellcharging prevention network gate array structure 1000 includes a VDD*260 input and a VSS* 262 input connected to a first photo-induced wellcharging prevention network 268. The first photo-induced well chargingprevention network 268 is connected to a P-well 280 having an nFET gatearray 282 formed therein, via a P-well connector 272. A gate connector274 connects the P-well connector 272 to the first photo-induced wellcharging prevention network 268.

Also included in the photo-induced well charging prevention network gatearray structure 1000 is second VDD* input 264 and second VSS* 266 inputconnected to a second photo-induced well charging prevention network270. The second photo-induced well charging prevention network 270 isconnected to an N-well 284 through an N-well connector 276. The N-well284 has a pFET gate array 286 formed therein.

The N-well connector 276 connects the N-well 284 to the secondphoto-induced well charging prevention network 270. Additionally, a gateconnector 278 connects the N-well connector 276 and the secondphoto-induced well charging prevention network 270.

In operation, the photo-induced well charging prevention network gatearray structure 1000 has each of its components functioning as astructure in a manner similar to the individual functioning of thevarious embodiments described above. Accordingly, the firstphoto-induced well charging prevention network 268 blocksdendrite-forming current from passing from the P-well 280 to the VDD*connector 262 thus preventing or reducing dendrite formation thereon.Additionally, the second photo-induced well charging prevention network270 blocks dendrite-forming current from passing from the N-well 284 tothe VSS* input 264, thus preventing dendrite formation thereon. Afterfabrication, the first and second photo-induced well charging preventionnetworks, 268 and 270, will transition to the “on” state when receivinga signal at their respective inputs.

Referring to FIG. 11, a photo-induced well charging prevention networkand well contact 1100 is shown in cross section. The photo-induced wellcharging prevention network and well contact 1100 includes at the bottoma substrate contact 298. Arranged above the substrate contact 298 is anFET gate array 294. Arranged above the nFET gate array 294 is acombination 288 of a second photo-induced well charging preventionnetwork and well contact 290 and pFET gate array 292.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications and in the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A method of controlling interconnect dendrite growth duringinterconnect processing, comprising the steps of: arranging asemiconductor switch in a dendrite-forming current path; and configuringthe semiconductor switch in an “off” state during interconnectprocessing to control dendrite formation.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising configuring the semiconductor switch to change to an“on” state when an input voltage is applied to the semiconductor switch.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating adendrite-forming current along the dendrite-forming current path from acharge source.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising arranging afirst side of the semiconductor switch in electrical communication witha first side of the charge source, and arranging a second side of thesemiconductor switch in electrical communication with a dendrite-forminginterconnect.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising forming thesemiconductor switch with an nFET and electrically connecting a sourceof the nFET to a first side of the charge source and electricallyconnecting a drain of the nFET to the dendrite-forming interconnect. 6.The method of claim 4, further comprising electrically connecting thesource of an nFET to the first side of the charge source with anelectrical conductor and a doped semiconductor and connecting a gate ofthe nFET to a second side of the charge source.
 7. The method of claim3, further comprising forming the charge source from a semiconductorjunction and generating a charge at the semiconductor junction withelectromagnetic radiation.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingforming the semiconductor switch from at least one of any of a diode, annFET and a pFET.
 9. A method of controlling interconnect dendritegrowth, comprising the steps of: arranging a first source/drain regionof a semiconductor switch in electrical communication with a first sideof a charge source; arranging a gate region of the semiconductor switchin electrical communication with a second side of the charge source; andarranging a second source/drain region of the semiconductor switch inelectrical communication with a dendrite forming conductor.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising forming the charge source from asemiconductor junction which generates a charge when it receiveselectromagnetic radiation.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprisingforming the semiconductor switch from at least one of any of a diode, annFET, or a pFET.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising formingthe semiconductor switch from an nFET with a source in electricalcontact with a first side of the semiconductor junction, a gate inelectrical communication with a second side of the semiconductorjunction, and a drain in electrical communication with an interconnect.13. The method of claim 12, further comprising electrically connectingthe source of the nFET and the first side of the semiconductor junctionwith an n diffusion region.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein thearranging comprises: arranging a first source/drain region of thesemiconductor switch in electrical communication with a first side of acharge source; arranging a gate region of the semiconductor switch inelectrical communication with a second side of the charge source; andarranging a second source/drain region of the semiconductor switch inelectrical communication with a dendrite forming conductor.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the charge source comprises a semiconductorjunction.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a charge is photo-inducedat the semiconductor junction.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein thesemiconductor switch comprises a diode.
 18. The method of claim 14,wherein the semiconductor switch comprises at least any one of a pFET,an nFET and a diode.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first sideof the charge source comprises either an n-well diffusion region or ap-well diffusion region and the second side of the charge sourcecomprises either a p-well diffusion region or an n-well diffusionregion, respectively.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the firstsource/drain region of the semiconductor switch comprises a p diffusionregion and the first side of the charge source comprises an n diffusionregion.